Tales of Enchantment by Shanna Swendson and Deeds of Youth by Elizabeth Moon

I enjoy novellas and short stories by favorite authors, and it’s fun to see a new collection. This month I’ve read two new collections by fantasy authors, both of which I enjoyed. Their settings and tones are very different, though both are best enjoyed by readers already familiar with their work.

On the lighter side, cozy contemporary fantasy writer Shanna Swendson is best know for her series beginning with Enchanted, Inc., set in New York City in the mid-2000s. I’ve read two of these stories before, including the darker Paint the Town Red, but others are new novellas. There are also some author’s notes about writing the series and its setting. Katie is from a small town in Texas, and is new to Manhattan. She keeps seeing very strange happenings, and beings. She turns out to be immune to magic; spells don’t work on her and she can see through illusions and spot magical beings such as fairies and gargoyles. Owen is the very talented young wizard who’s a bit shy, while his friend Rod is very skilled with illusions. Sam is their non-human coworker. Their boss is a very famous wizard.

These novellas make for very enjoyable reading, with some humor, just a little romance, and give both some backstory to the series, and a little closure. Owen & Rod are featured in Spelling Test, set at Yale, where they’re both students and there are two rival magical societies. Sam, who works in security, is on the case in Criminal Enchantment. Katie’s grandmother gets to shine in Power Struggle, set in Texas. Now I need to go back and re-read book 9, Enchanted Ever After. Read more about the Enchanted, Inc. world at http://shannaswendson.com/blog/

Elizabeth Moon writes heroic fantasy and science fiction, and is best known for her character Paksenarrion, a sheepfarmer’s daughter who becomes a paladin. This is definitely not a safe and cozy world, but it’s wonderfully drawn, with plenty of room for more stories. This collection of short stories features children and young adults coming of age. There is generally at least one adult providing the support and guidance the young people need, but not necessarily a parent. There is often the threat of danger or dishonor. Horses feature prominently in Dream’s Quarry and The Dun Mare’s Grandchild. The adopted son of a lord learns about responsibilities in A Bad Day at Duke’s East. Another recent collection is Deeds of Honor. Read more at http://www.paksworld.com/blog/